VOLUME 31, #5 May, 2017
Tom Bearss https://dncb.wordpress.com/ President 604 940-9296
Next meeting: May 2, 2017, 7:30 PM BENEDICTION LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5575 6th Ave Tsawwassen
David Hoar and Noreen Rudd: Birding Adventures in Costa Rica
We will present an overview of Costa Rica as a destination for birders. This politically stable Central American country has protected over 25% of its land mass as National Parks, and its economy depends heavily on tourism. Having both a Pacific and Caribbean coast, separated by central mountains, creates diverse habitats for migrants from North and South America, and the establishment of endemic species. Our 2017 trip focused more on the birds along the Pacific coast; however, in 2012 we also spent time along the Caribbean coast, in the central valley, and on the slopes of the David Hoar: Retired University Professor in the field volcanoes. This country, although it may be of Molecular Genetics doing studies in DNA based challenging for first time birders, has very genetic diagnosis and forensics. competent Guides that can introduce you to
Noreen Rudd: Retired Pediatrician and University both flora and fauna of this tropical paradise. Professor in the field of Medical Genetics.
David & Noreen have spent most of the past 25 summers cruising the coastal waters of B.C. and SE Alaska. They lived aboard their 42′ power boat Pacific Sapphire for 5 years, but are now back in a Tsawwassen condo when they are home. Birding- focused trips to more tropical climates are a winter passion, and their favorite summer cruising grounds are in Haida Gwaii.
Photo: Golden-collared Manakin, male. Hoar/Rudd
Poster by Geof Hacker
COMING EVENTS
Next Meeting - Tuesday, June 6th 7:30 PM Presentations by Members
DELTA NATS CASUAL BIRDING OUTINGS
Schedule is tentative. Check for updates: https://dncb.wordpress.com/delta- naturalists/delta-naturalists-upcoming-events/#dncb
Wed May 3: Tennant Lake, WA Wed Jun 7: Pitt Lake Wed May 10 QE Park Wed Jun 14: Birds on the Bay Wed May 17: Colony Farm Wed Jun 21: Maplewood or Pender Wed May 24: Burnaby Lake Island Wed May 31: Semiahmoo FGC/Little Wed Jun 28: Campbell Valley Campbell R. Hatchery Wed Jul 5: Surrey Bend/Tynehead & Brooksdale EC Regional
Delta Nats Displays 2017
**Please let Terry Carr know if you can help with any of these great events**
Sun May 14 Mother's Day Tea with the Birds, Cammidge House 12:30 - 3:30 Sun June 18 Father's Day Pancake Breakfast, Centennial beach 9:00 - 12:00 Sun August 13 Raptor Festival, Terra Nova Park 11:00 - 4:00 Sat August 19 Starry Night, Deas Island 7:30 - 10:00 Sat September 9 Day at the Farm, Westham Island 10:00 - 4:00
BBPA CAR BOOT SALES 2017
Help needed – see Tom or Elizabeth to sign up for shifts
Sat June 10 & 24 8:30 - 12:00 Sat Aug 12 & 26 8:30 – 12:00
Sat July 8 & 22 8:30 - 12:00 Sat Sep 9 8:30 – 12:00
For more information on Boundary Bay Park Association activities, go to
https://boundarybayparkassociation.wordpress.com/event-calendar/ SAVE THE DATE!
The DNS 2017 Garden Party will be on Saturday, June 24th, starting at 5pm
See THE LAST PAGE for details
Reconnecting with Nature Events with David Cook
Saturday, May 6th 2017 (Registration required) The day will finish with a guided walk with biologist David Cook to nearby Roche Point Forest, Powerground: Talking about Nature and the Land part of the historic Roche Point Creek watershed A talk and walk for the District of North Vancouver which is one of only two remaining low-elevation Library, Parkgate Branch. old-growth areas on the North Shore. Talk by Trevor Carolan Walk by David Cook Full details about this event are available on the 10:00am—2:00pm. Parkgate Library 3675 Banff Events Calendar at Crt. The Parkgate Library is located in the www.nvdpl.ca/event/powerground-talking- Parkgate Shopping Centre at the corner of Mount about-nature-and-land. Seymour Parkway and Seymour Road. Access is gained via Seymour Road which is the access road Tuesday May 9th 2017 to Seymour Provincial Park. Registration: Online or by calling 604-929-3727, Secrets of a Temperate Coniferous Forest. ext. 8166 An interpretive walk for Salmonberry Days of the We will start the day with coffee, tea & snacks. A Dunbar Residents Association. light lunch will also be provided. Trip leader: David Cook, Biologist Meeting time and duration: 10:00 am; We will show the film Powerground, by local writer Approximately 3 hours & filmmaker Trevor Carolan, followed by a walk in Meeting place: Trailhead at Spanish Banks Beach, the forest, guided by biologist David Cook. NW Marine Drive. See Pacific Spirit Regional Park map Filmmaker Trevor Carolan will introduce the film, at: www.metrovancouver.org/about/Maps/Pacifi and following the screening, we will discuss some cspiritmap.pdf of the topics and issues raised in the film: climate change, global warming and deforestation. With The Spanish Banks Trail is trail No. 23 on the map. so many conflicting messages, has the millennial Description of event: On this beautiful forest walk generation already heard enough about the we will see how the components of a typical environmental crisis? Many are confused and second-growth forest of both native and non-native wonder if it has simply gotten too complicated plants work together to produce a functional but to win back the Earth. This documentary film faces ever-changing whole. We will also look at the work up to the sea of chatter. done in enhancing Spanish Creek for salmon.
A free public event. Registration not required.
Bushtit Brian Avent
Bushtit nest – Glen Bodie
Brown Creeper Brian Avent Downy Woodpecker – Brian Avent
Lincoln’s sparrow Brian Avent American Goldfinch Brian Avent BEES AND BUTTERFLIES Flowers bred to please the human eye (for things like size and complexity) are sometimes sterile and David Suzuki of little use to pollinators. Native plants or heirloom varieties are best. Some people think nature is "out there", in a national park or other designated wilderness area. Bees have good colour vision — that's why flowers But bees, our most important pollinators, love to are so showy! They especially like blue, purple, live in urban settings where there are short flight violet, white and yellow. Plant flowers of a single paths, and a variety of different plants and flowers species in clumps about four feet in diameter to sample. In fact, bees are more likely to thrive in instead of in scatterings so bees are more likely to your backyard, community or patio garden, and on find them. mixed farms than on acres devoted to single crops.
Bee species all have different tongue lengths — We've all heard about the mysterious global adaptations to different flowers, so a variety of disappearance of honeybees. Other bee species are flower shapes will benefit a diversity of bees. also declining, mainly because of habitat loss. You can make a big difference just by creating a bee- These plants, organized by when they bloom, are friendly space in your garden. (And it's not hard — just a few of the species that attract bees: bees are easy to please!) Early Mid-season Late Provide nutritious bee food Blueberry Blackberry Aster (perennial) Cotoneaster Cat mint Beggar's tricks Bees eat two things: nectar (loaded with sugar, it's Crabapple Catnip Borage a bee's main source of energy) and pollen (which Cranberry Chives Coneflower provides proteins and fats). Crocus Dahlia Cornflower Foxglove Hyssop Cosmos Choose a variety of plants that flower at different Heliotrope Lavender Goldenrod times so there's always a snack available for when Hazelnut Raspberry Pumpkin bees are out and about. (Rule: native plants attract Heather Sunflower Sedum native bees and exotic plants attract honeybees.) Primrose Yarrow Squash
Choose native flowers and shrubs. Butterflies need nectar plants for food and host plants to lay their eggs.
Tiger swallowtails choose nectar plants such as lilacs or bee balm; nearby willow, alder, or apple trees can host larva Painted ladies choose nectar plants such as aster, cosmos or zinnia; host plants include thistle, mallow or hollyhock Monarchs choose nectar plants such as milkweed, lilac, goldenrod and cosmos; the milkweed family are the monarchs' only host plants To attract butterflies like the red admiral, tiger swallowtail and mourning cloak, you can also set up a nectar feeder using a solution of one part sugar to 18 parts water.
“Vancouver is fortunate to be on the doorstep of Canada’s premier birding hotspot and the abundance of birds was cause to celebrate. Bird Week is our way of helping everyone become more aware of birds around the city. Our theme this year will be garden birds. Take a look at the events and join in the fun.”
- Rob Butler, Chair of Bird Week
Blackbirds, crows, and chickadees – Get to know your birds during Bird Week
From bird nerd to bird curious, from wise old owl to adventurous tot, there is an event for everyone during Bird Week: May 6-13, 2017. Bird Week is a week-long series of events to celebrate Vancouver’s birds. It was inspired by World Migratory Bird Day, a United Nations-sponsored initiative that recognizes the importance of birds as key indicators of our environment’s health.
During Bird Week, there will be bird-related workshops, walks, talks, exhibitions, and lectures across Vancouver. All events are free.
Plan to join us in 2018 when Bird Week coincides with the International Ornithological Congress in Vancouver from 19 to 26 August. We are already planning an exciting week of all-things-birds for people from around the world.
A schedule of events can be found here:
http://www.vancouverbirdweek.ca/events/
April 19th to May 30th
- beginner birding, learning how to bird by ear, banding workshops, birding by kayak, pelagic trip out of Ucluelet, nest box building, birding trips by boat out of Horseshoe Bay and Burrard Inlet, bird taxidermy workshop, Stanley Park seawall walks, an incredible talk by ornithologist Rob Butler at SFU, and a challenge to see 150 birds by July 1st for Canada's 150th birthday... LANGLEY FIELD NATURALISTS
FIELD TRIPS, April to June 2017
Wednesday Evening Summer Walks. Please Note: anyone wishing to carpool should phone in to make arrangements beforehand, otherwise please meet at the designated meeting place.
Please call to let the leader know to expect you. The walks are generally about two to three hours long and are open to all Naturalist Clubs & members of the public (adults & children, but no pets please).
Please dress for the weather and bring water, binoculars and a snack (plus bug spray in summer).
Note these walks are weather dependent so if the weather is bad and no calls are received then the leader will not show up.
Wednesday, May 10th Saturday, June 24th Iona Beach Regional Park & Sewage Irene Pearce Trail Lagoons - Yellow-headed Blackbirds. 9:00 am the parking lot on 224th at 5th Avenue Meet in the parking lot at 9:00 am Iona Park Leader: Anthea Farr Leader: Josh Inman For info and to register: 604-576-7731 For info and to register: 604-532-0455 Wednesday June 28th Friday May 19, 2017 George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary Hope Air Park and Area – Delta Leaders Al and Jude Grass 9:00am at Reifel For info and to register: 604-538-8774 Leader: Al Grass For info and to register: 604-538-8774 Friday, June 2nd Skagit Valley Provincial Park 8:45 at the junction of the Hope Flood Road and Silver Skagit Road (take exit #168 from Highway 1 East). Leaders: Al & Jude Grass For info and to register: 604-538-8774
Note: please make sure you have enough gas as it is 130 km round trip to Ross Lake and back to the highway
Saturday, June 10th Campbell Valley Regional Park 9:00 am at 16th Avenue parking lot Leader: Bob Puls For info and to register: 604-856-7534
NATURE VANCOUVER PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST
First Place - Botany Marion Shikaze
Second Place – Entomology Marion Shikaze NATURE VANCOUVER
May 4th Birder's Night - outdoors at Queen Elizabeth Park Thursday May 4, 6:30 pm to 8:30
This is Nature Vancouver's last Birder's Night before the summer break, and will be held Meet leaders Adrian Grant Duff and Colin outdoors at picturesque Queen Elizabeth Park. Clasen at 6:30PM in the free parking lot at the We can expect a good variety of both spring south end of the park, next to the pitch-and- migrants and resident species. Last year we putt golf course. We will then bird around the saw nests of both Anna's Hummingbirds and park for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, then meet at the Bushtits and watched Black-capped Chickadees Celebration Pavilion (plaza) area at the top, for busy at their tree nest cavity. Many other social time and refreshments. species nest in the park, including Cooper’s Hawks.
For map see http://www.naturevancouver.ca/node/2899
Birding at Iona Island Sunday May 6, 8:00 am
Meet leader Thomas Plath [email protected], cell weather. We will be searching for migrants, 778 928-9206 at the parking lot at Iona Regional especially shorebirds. To carpool or if you need Park at 8:00 AM. Minimum two hour walk - a lift, please call Thomas Plath to make bring a snack and suitable clothing for the arrangements.
D
Birders' Night Programs Botany Section Programs The evening programs of the Birding Section are held on The evening programs of the Botany Section are held the first Thursday of each month from September to from January through April and September through May at 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall of St. Mary's November on the third Thursday of each month at 7:30 (Kerrisdale) Anglican Church, 2490 West 37th p.m. The programs will be held at the Unitarian Avenue (at Larch Street), Vancouver. The programs Centre at 949 West 49th Avenue (at Oak Street), start with introductions and items of general interest. Vancouver. . Click here to see the program schedule The main presentation begins after a short break for General Natural History Programs light refreshments. Click here to see the program The General Evening Programs of Nature Vancouver are schedule held from January through April and September through Marine Biology Evening Programs November on the fourth Thursday of the month at 7:30 The evening programs of the Marine Biology Section are pm. The programs will be held at the Unitarian held from January through April and September through Centre at 949 West 49th Avenue (at Oak Street), December on the second Thursday of each month at Vancouver. Click here to see the program 7:30 p.m. The programs will be held at the schedule th Unitarian Centre at 949 West 49 Avenue (at Oak Street), Vancouver. Click here to see the program schedule
Please note that most evening programs are now at the Unitarian Centre, 49th & Oak.
Important Birding Spots in Metro Vancouver Click on Important Birding Spots in Metro Vancouver Area for a list of 31 sites and directions on how to get there.
Birds Special to Metro Vancouver Click on Avian Specialties for a list of birds special to Vancouver Area and places to find them. http://www.naturevancouver.ca/
Red-legged Honey Creeper Hoar/Rudd
Costa Rica
Cinnamon Woodpecker Hoar/Rudd
CONSERVING NATURE THROUGH SCIENCE AND OUTREACH
Our Pelagic Trip takes us from Ucluelet, B.C. aboard the MV Frances Barkley on a seven hour voyage to La Perouse Bank in search of pelagic birds. The trip is a fundraiser for WildResearch’s programs.
Our next pelagic trip is scheduled for May 7th, 2017, coinciding with the Tofino Shorebird Festival
The Ship
The MV Frances Barkley is a 128 foot, 300 ton coastal freighter/passenger vessel with three levels of observation decks, washrooms, and indoor lounge with cafeteria serving hot food and drinks. Built in Norway, the vessel has an ice-rated hull and is built for the rough seas of the North Atlantic. The vessel should provide a stable platform for viewing pelagic birds. Given the size and seaworthy design of the MV Frances Barkley, the trip is unlikely to be cancelled due to poor weather. We will also be taking on a large quantity of fish offal to churn the waters and attract pelagic birds to the ship.
The Trip We will begin boarding the MV Frances Barkley in Ucluelet at 6:30am and depart at 7:00am on May 7th, 2017. We will then travel to La Perouse Bank and spend about 3.5 hours at 37 km from land, before returning to Ucluelet at approximately 2:30pm. Our on-board guides will point out the bird and other marine life. What Can You Expect To See
Including: Brandt’s, Double-crested and Pelagic Cormorants, Bonaparte’s, Mew, California, Thayer’s and Glaucous-winged Gulls, Common Murres, Pigeon Guillemots, Marbled Murrelets and Rhinoceros Auklets.
As we travel past 5 km from shore, we should start to see our first Sooty Shearwaters. We will also start to see species such as Parasitic Jaeger, Cassin’s Auklet, Ancient Murrelet, Tufted Puffin, and Sabine’s Gull. As we approach La Perouse Bank we should see more Sooty Shearwaters, Pink-footed Shearwaters, Red-necked and Red Phalaropes, and South Polar Skua. At La Perous Bank we could see also see Buller’s and Flesh-footed Shearwaters, ? Black-footed Albatross, Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel, Pomarine Jaeger, and Arctic Tern. As we leave land, we will see most of the seabirds, ducks and gulls that can be regularly seen from For a list of what species have been seen in past shore, years, click here.
For Photographers
We will be taking time to provide quality opportunities for taking photographs of pelagic birds. We will be making long stops at La Perouse Bank to churn the water and bring the birds within metres of the ship. Three deck levels ranging from the waterline up to 35 ft above the waterline provide a range of viewing angles. Tripods are not permitted on board, however, monopods and bean bags are allowed
What To Bring There will be plenty of room on the ship to store a daypack, so bring what you will need to be comfortable and to have a great trip. The weather is always difficult to predict, so be prepared for the worst. Bring a warm hat, extra sweaters, gloves, windproof outer shells (pants and jacket), rain gear, soft-soled waterproof footwear (rubber boots or equivalent), sunglasses, sunscreen, and lip balm. Don’t forget binoculars, field guides, notebooks, pencils/pens, lens cloths, camera/lens, extra batteries, and memory cards. Do not bring tripods for telescopes or cameras. Photographers are permitted to use monopoles or . bean bags.
The cafeteria will be open for the duration of the trip, but if you have special dietary needs please bring your own food.
Motion Sickness
If you have a history of motion sickness, consider consulting a medical doctor about prescription medications that can ease the effects of motion sickness. If you do not generally suffer from motion sickness, consider the following recommendations:
Do not drink alcohol the day before the trip
Some find taking a Gravol pill for two days before the trip alleviates symptoms; if Gravol makes you drowsy, take the recommended dose before going to bed
Research motion sickness remedies and plan ahead
Accommodations and Travel to Ucluelet
WildResearch is not offering any accommodation or ground transportation for the pelagic trip. We do recommend booking accommodation well in advance as Ucluelet can be very busy during the spring. Good starting points for organizing your accommodation and travel arrangements are Tourism Ucluelet and the Tofino Guide.
Recommended accommodations include the Surf’s Inn Guest House and Cottages, Terrace Beach Resorts, and the Ucluelet Campground in Ucluelet, and the Wickaninish Inn in nearby Tofino, (40 kms to Ucluelet)..
Ucluelet may be reached from Vancouver, BC either by air with Orca Air or by ferry to Nanaimo with BC Ferries. Travel time from Nanaimo to Ucluelet is approximately 2.5 hours.
Ready to join us?
Learn more about pelagic trip reservations.
Have Additional Questions?
Email: [email protected]
Join our Wave of Change
The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science water bottles which represents the average Centre has taken a leadership stance and amount of bottles that are being eliminated today announced it is the first zoo or aquarium from the Aquarium’s waste stream in a two- in Canada to discontinue its sales of single-use week period. Outside, a giant wave made of plastic water bottles. Instead, members and water bottles represents the approximate visitors are being asked to BYOB (bring your number that were sold in the Café from own bottle) on their next visit. This is our latest September – November of last year. Inside, a step to further reduce our ocean plastic 20-foot model of a humpback whale hangs in footprint and raise awareness about the long- the atrium, among waves made of about 1,200 lasting harm caused by these ubiquitous plastic empty single-use plastic water bottles which items. represents the average amount of bottles that are being eliminated from the Aquarium’s Plastics are being ingested by ocean wildlife waste stream in a two-week period. across the aquatic food-chain, from bottom feeders to apex predators. These disposable The installation serves to educate guests and polluters now join a host of other plastic items Stanley Park visitors about the global impact of the Aquarium has removed, including plastic plastics. Since 1950, world plastic production straws, cup lids and cutlery. Diners at the has risen from about 1.9 metric tons to 330 Aquarium have long had peace of mind million metric tons in 2013. About 8 million knowing they are using compostable plate- metric tons of this plastic ends up in the ware and cutlery. oceans every year, with up to 80 per cent of it coming from land-based sources, such as In order to draw attention to the issue of landfills. Vulnerable sea life, including whales, marine life-ingesting plastic, a creative, new art sea turtles and sea birds, easily mistake plastic installation is now on display in the Ocean Wise items for food and ingest them. The plastic can Art Atrium. Inside, a 20-foot model of a result in blockages in the animals’ digestive humpback whale hangs in the skylight, among systems and can result in injury and death. waves made of 1,200 empty single-use plastic
Vancouver Aquarium is a not-for-profit marine science centre. Our 1,500 staff and volunteers are deeply committed to protecting our oceans. We wanted to highlight our commitments to ocean conservation, our animal care practices and our amazing people who work hard every day to conserve our natural world.
Delta’s 2017 Earth Week Photo Contest Winners
GRAND PRIZE Boundary Bay Flyover Jack MacDonald
Second Place Adult Wildlife First Bluebird at Boundary Bay 2017 Jim Kneesch
Invasive Insects
The North American Gypsy moth is currently Free Sustainable Gardening Workshops established in parts of eastern North America. It is an introduced pest from Asia that threatens B.C.'s Learn how you can prevent a chafer beetle ecology and economy. infestation at the upcoming Free Sustainable Gardening Workshops on Thursday, May 18 and Thursday, October 12. Characteristics A strong flier, the male is brown, with a small body Invasive insects are insects that have been and well-developed wings. The female is flightless introduced to a country or region, deliberately or by and is white with black markings on her wings. accident, outside of their natural habitat. If Female moths are much larger than males. environmental conditions are satisfactory and a food source or host is available, introduced insects Life Cycle can often survive, multiply and spread. A lack of natural enemies and disease in their new location is Adults emerge during the latter part of July and on often an important factor in their survival, allowing through August. The adult female lays eggs in their population to increase unchecked. (Above masses on tree trunks and the undersides of photo credit: Sean McCann) branches, under loose bark and in tree cavities. They also cling to things under or near trees, such What's Delta Doing? as outdoor furniture, boats, trailers, vehicles, toys, camping equipment, piles of wood and lumber. Egg Invasive Species Management Strategy masses look like pieces of shammy cloth.
During the April 11, 2016 regular meeting, Council In the spring, numerous tiny caterpillars hatch from endorsed Delta’s Invasive Species Management the eggs. By midsummer they are fully grown, Strategy. The Strategy provides a framework of about six to seven centimetres long, dark and quite how Delta will evaluate, reduce and mitigate the hairy. Each has a double row of tubercles along its impacts of invasive species on our environment, back, usually five pairs of blue and six of red (but economy, and society. The Strategy is divided up sometimes all black or blue). in three sections, with goals and action items under each: 1) strategic management, including Why are Gypsy moths a problem? prevention, mapping and inventory, early detection, and rapid response; 2) control and restoration: The Gypsy moth has a wide host range which regulations, monitoring and replanting; and 3) includes native shade trees and ornamentals trees. education and collaboration. View the staff Should the Gypsy moth become established, trees report and the Strategy will be stripped of their leaves in midsummer. Such defoliation could undermine the intrinsic recreational/health and wildlife habitat values that these trees provide. Local parks could also be jeopardized.
How can we control the Gypsy moth? properties south of Highway 10. Up to four aerial applications on each area are proposed between April 15–June 30, 2015. Foray 48B has been The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (FLNRO) has taken the lead approved for use on organic farms by the Organic role in managing infestations of the North American Materials Review Institute. strain of European gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) in British Columbia. The Ministry is working Visit Gypsy Moth in British Columbia for more together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of information on the Provincial program, including Natural Resource Operations, Ministry of information from Health Canada, copies of the Environment, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency permit application and maps of the proposed area. (CFIA), the Canadian Forest Service, provincial and The public are invited to submit comments to the local health authorities, and local governments of Ministry of Environment on this application. communities where gypsy moths have been located. European Chafer Beetle
Gypsy moths are a threat to B.C.'s ecology and European Chafer Beetle (Rhizotrogus majalis) is a economy. The insect attacks both natural forests lawn pest that arrived in the Lower Mainland and urban trees. The Province’s gypsy moth around 2001. Since then, its population has grown eradication program provides a site and condition dramatically and has led to serious damage to turf specific treatment response for each location and grasses in many municipalities, including Delta. uses various levels of mass trapping, ground spraying and aerial spraying to control this Characteristics introduced pest. The situation specific use of these varied techniques has been successful in the 20 The adult beetle is copper-coloured and years they have been used. There have been no approximately 1.5 cm long, with tufts of fine hair established moth populations in B.C. since the coming out of its underside and wing covers. The moths were first discovered in 1978. Previous larvae (grubs) have a white body, black rear end, Treatments and copper-coloured legs and head. The larva is often curled up into a C-shape and is approximately Treatments using aerial spraying for Gypsy Moth 2 cm long stretched out. previously have been completed in a portion of Tsawwassen First Nations land in 1999, and an area around 116th Street and Nordel Way in North Life Cycle Delta in 2004. These treatments have been successful in eradicating Gypsy Moths from these The adults emerge from the ground in June and areas. form mating swarms around nearby trees. The mated females then go back into the turf to lay up Ongoing detection programs and prompt to 50 eggs. The adult beetles die after eradication measures conducted by Canadian and reproduction. The eggs hatch after two weeks and US agencies have prevented this invasive pest from the larvae feeds on grass roots throughout the fall, becoming established in western North America. winter and spring. In late May, the larvae stop eating and form a cocoon (pupa), and then emerge as adults in June to restart the cycle. Proposed 2015 Gypsy Moth Treatments The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations has applied to the Ministry of Why are European Chafer Beetles a problem? Environment for a permit to use Bacillus thuringiensis var. Kurstaki (commercial formulation The larva is the destructive life stage of this pest. It Foray 48B) to eradicate a growing Gypsy Moth is a voracious consumer of grass roots. Lawns population in two areas: 4,856 hectares in Surrey heavily damaged by chafer beetle larvae will be and 204 hectares in Surrey-Delta. This area spongy, brown and loose. Peeling or digging the includes a portion of Watershed Park and turf will reveal larvae feeding underneath (20 or approximately 100 North Delta residential
more larvae per square foot of lawn is considered it poses a threat to crops such as corn, potatoes heavy infestation). and blueberries.
In addition to causing direct damage, the larvae How can we control European Chafer Beetles? serve as a protein-rich food source for other animals such as crows, skunks and raccoons. These One of the best ways to limit the beetle damage is animals dig up the turf to reach and eat the larvae, to have a healthy lawn with a deep root system. leaving the lawn pecked, rolled up or bare. Despite Aerating, dethatching, overseeding, liming, proper the damage they cause, the crows, skunks and fertilizing and high mowing are actions that raccoons serve as natural population control promote strong growth. Watering is also important, for the chafer beetle. Without them, the but note that summer watering restrictions must be beetle population would be even larger. adhered to.
There is a concern that the beetle will eventually See Delta's European Chafer Beetle brochure. migrate towards agricultural areas of Delta, where Lawns must be deeply pre-watered and stay moist for two weeks after nematodes are applied. If Nematode Application lawns are not retaining most under the permitted sprinkling frequency, then you need a Sprinkling Nematodes are microscopic parasites that can be Permit to be exempt from the watering restrictions purchased from various garden stores to help (permits can be obtained from Municipal Hall). control European Chafer Beetle populations. Please note that the nematodes are effective In instances where beetle damage is extensive and only if they are applied to the lawn shortly after damaging to property, the use of domestic the eggs hatch (mid-July to early August). Follow pesticides may be permitted. Contact the Office of the nematode mixing and application directions on Climate Action and Environment at 604-946-3253 the label. Nematode application will have to be or by email if you have any questions regarding the done annually, especially in heavily infested use of pesticides and Delta's Pesticide Use Control neighbourhoods. Research indicates control of Bylaw. European Chafer Beetles via nematodes should be in conjunction with proper lawn maintenance in In areas where the beetles are rampant, you may order to prevent turf damage. Nematode want to replace your turf grass lawn with other applications will not deter or prevent beetles from plants that are not damaged by the European laying eggs in a lawn; applications should be done Chafer Beetle. Speak with your local lawn and only in areas where chafer beetle presence is garden store for alternatives confirmed.
Learn more: European Chafer Beetle - Ministry of Agriculture.
http://www.delta.ca/environment-sustainability/plants-wildlife/invasive-insects
BIRD NEST BOX NEWS
Nat Chris McVittie has volunteered to monitor our 40+ Bird Nest Boxes at Boundary Bay Regional Park. As you know, we inspect and clean the boxes in the early Spring and Fall, but we have never had anyone to monitor them throughout the nesting, egg laying and fledging season, that is, in the Spring and Summer.
We are so pleased with Chris’s offer. He will visit the boxes throughout the Spring and report on their status, however, he could use assistance. For example, if you are in the Park and see activity at one or more of our boxes, please send an e-mail to Chris at [email protected] reporting on the activity. The boxes are labelled, so the number would be helpful. Our boxes are built for Tree Swallows, but there could be activity from other species, such as invasive House Sparrows, Chickadees or Wrens.
Other Bird Box Info: Recently, we have had a Nats Bird Box Team building and erecting nest boxes (TS and Barn Owl) in Delta and elsewhere. Nat Peter Ward leads our Team of Jim Kneesch, Chris McVittie and Jack MacDonald.
We are regularly kept informed about activity at the two very active Barn Owl boxes at Earthwise by Dave Robinson, and although our “Cadillac” box in BBRP is difficult to access, we know there are residents inside.
Our 50 TS boxes at Kings Links, and our four boxes at Tsatsu Shores, are attracting lots of TS interest and hopefully we (Pete Blair?) will examine them and report on activity sometime this Spring/Summer before cleaning them in the Fall.
Our Barn Swallow Kiosk at Kings Links has not attracted any activity yet, neither this year nor the previous two years. Hope you find this interesting, and perhaps helpful. So please report any of your sightings to Chris.
Tom Bearss
CORRESPONDENCE
Tom Bearss 4:47 PM to dnsfirst49, Terry, Deborah
DNS Members: Following our successful morning on March 30 of removing Blackberry Bushes, and then planting of Native Species at Chalmer’s Park, our next task is to spread some woodchips. This is all part of the Burnsview Secondary School Project at the park which we/Delta Nats supported with a grant from the BC Naturalists Foundation. We have selected Thursday, May 11 as our Work Day to spread chips, but only from 10:00 am to Noon. Then we’ll go to Lunch somewhere. See correspondence below with the Project Coordinator, Deborah Jones.
So please let me know if you’re interested and willing to join us on May 11 for this fun project. Don’t be shy, you will enjoy the morning. Cheers: Tom
Thanks Tom. We could use Danick's 5 wheelbarrows, many shovels and some rakes. If individual Nats have square-mouth shovels, those would be better than Danick's.
Thanks Deb. I will check with our Members for their interest in another Work Day at Chalmers Park/Burnsview. A two hour job before lunch seemed like an arrangement that worked well last time. When are you suggesting and available? Is equipment available (wheel barrow, shovels, rakes, etc.)? Thursday or Friday mornings work best for me, but can adapt. Give me your thoughts. Cheers: Tom
From: Deborah Jones [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: April-21-17 6:19 PM To: Tom Bearss
Hi Tom,
Once the dust has settled from Earth Week activities (such as the Delta Nats booth at Watershed Park salmon release), is there any chance you could muster another volunteer crew to help spread woodchip mulch on new plantings in Chalmers Park?
The kids have made excellent progress on planting, mulching and trail improvements -- but there are still 4 large hills of woodchips awaiting spreading! If Delta Nats could spread one hill, it would be a great help. Chalmers Elementary students will tackle another, and we'll have a Streamkeeper work party on May 21 to do another. That would leave just one hill for Burnsview students -- in addition to the sawdust and gravel they've been spreading, and the new mural they're supposed to start painting soon on a concrete block wall in the park. They've taken on a lot!
Thanks for considering,
Deb
Deborah Jones Rain Gardens Coordinator Cougar Creek Streamkeepers.ca (North Delta/Surrey BC) [email protected] 604 596-39
DNS Executive
Bearss, Tom President [email protected] Perrin, Elizabeth Vice President Den Dikken, Anita Secretary and BCN Kneesch, Jim Treasurer/Membership McVittie, Chris Director at Large
DNS Support Volunteers
Belless, Armene Social Committee Borrie, Ken Web Manager Carr, Terrance Display Coordinator Coutts, Audrey Newsletter Editor [email protected] Fuller, Valerie Publicity Hacker, Geof DNS Historian Martin, Marylile Assistant Display Coordinator Jennifer Melville-Roberts Social Committee Rennie, Paul Audio Visual Support Ronback, James Environmental Watch Dog [email protected] Stewart, Alan Audio Visual Support Williamson, Joanne Social Committee
Delta Nats’ website: https://dncb.wordpress.com/
Useful Phone Numbers:
Wild Life Rescue 604-526-7275 Canadian Wildlife Services 604-666-0143 Rare Bird Alert (24 hour) 604-737-3074 Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary 604-946-6980 OWL (Orphaned Wildlife Rehab) 604-946-3171 Wildlife Violation Report 1-800-663-9453 Fisheries and Oceans HOT LINE 604-666-3500 Delta Farmland & Wildlife Trust 604-940-3392 Nature Vancouver - http://naturevancouver.ca
INTERESTING LINKS Delta Farmland and Wildlife Trust: http://www.deltafarmland.ca/ Friends of Semiahmoo Bay Society: http://www.birdsonthebay.ca/
Note: The photo of Deer Lake on the Nature Vancouver page was taken by Pat Smart.
THE LAST PAGE
Garden Party/Pot Luck Supper Saturday, June 24, 2017
5:00 to 8:30 pm, Chris McVittie and Marlene Mark's 415 Shannon Way, Tsawwassen
Please mark the date! Look for signup sheets for the food (at Delta Nats meetings and birders outings) or RSVP via email with your planned potluck offering and # of people to Jennifer Melville-Roberts, [email protected].
Things to bring: . your appy, entree or dessert to share . BYOB - bring your own beverage (we'll have coffee and tea) . your own plate, cutlery and glass or mug . lawn chair(s) . $10 gift in plain brown bag for the Dutch auction
For more information: Jennifer Melville-Roberts or Armene Belless.